The Dallas Cowboys will likely be shopping around for some serious cornerback upgrades in the 2026 NFL offseason, especially after their defense was so putrid last season that it ruined another fine Dak Prescott showing and a breakout campaign from wide receiver George Pickens
Even in a year where the cornerback market isn't overflowing with tons of no-doubt starting options, one player with enough of a high ceiling to justify a team like Dallas taking a shot on him is former Los Angeles Chargers and Pittsburgh Steelers nickel dynamo Asante Samuel Jr.
FOX Sports projects the Cowboys to be in on Samuel, and they might be able to beat out some of the competition for him due to a connection with their new coaching staff. Derrick Ansley, formerly the Green Bay Packers' passing game coordinator, was hired as Dallas' new defensive backs coach.
Prior to Green Bay and Dallas, Ansley was the defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator with the Chargers, where he helped Samuel early in his career. If the two still have a very close relationship, they could link back up in Dallas as Brian Schottenheimer remakes the defense.
Cowboys could land Asante Samuel Jr. in free agency due to coaching staff connection
Samuel's size means that he will likely be playing almost exclusively in the slot if he comes to Dallas. While that limitation, twinned with his injury history, will take a chunk out of his value, the tape shows someone who could be a big contributor to the Dallas defense.
Samuel was a rock-solid starter for the Chargers before injuries complicatedhis free agency situation. He arrived in Pittsburgh too late to make a huge impact, but he was still a very productive player in the limited action he had under Mike Tomlin.
On top of the fact that Ainsley is in Dallas, new defensive coordinator Christian Parker has made developing defensive backs a specialty of his. Between the success of both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean over the last few years, Samuel could find himself on a similar upward trajectory if he gets developed properly.
The Cowboys may be rolling the dice on Samuel's health, as it has been the main obstacle that has stood between him and any long-term success in the pros, but considering the success he had had when he isn't banged up, this partnership might make too much sense for both parties here.